What Happens If My California Lemon Law Claim is Denied?

When dealing with a vehicle’s warranty defect, it’s easy to feel helpless or out of your depth. Even though a defect isn’t your fault as a buyer, you’re still responsible for initiating the process to protect your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve. With the help of a California lemon law attorney, you can file a claim and start the legal process for your lemon. That said, you may be wondering: What happens if my California lemon law claim is denied?

How Is Lemon Law Defined in California?

California lemon law, or the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, protects consumers who buy defective new or used vehicles that come with the manufacturer’s new warranty. If a buyer experiences a defect covered by the vehicle’s warranty within 18 months or 18,000 miles of having it, they must:

1. Reach out to the manufacturer or dealer to have them repair it
2. Demand that they either replace or refund the vehicle
3. Attempt to settle through mediation and/or arbitration
4. File an official case with the local county court

Historically, this law has generally favored consumers in lemon law cases. That said, recent updates to the law have made filing a lemon law case more challenging by lowering the statute of limitations within which a consumer can exercise their rights and putting more responsibility on the consumer to initiate the claim and seek compensation on their own.

Steps to Take If Your California Lemon Law Claim Is Denied

Despite the protections California lemon law offers consumers, some claims can be denied. Some of the most common reasons lemon law claims are denied in California include:

• Failure to meet legal criteria
• Insufficient documentation
• Manufacturer disputes
• Missed deadlines

If your lemon law claim is denied in California, not all hope is lost. You still have the option to appeal the decision and potentially pursue another legal avenue to seek the compensation you’re owed. In response to a denied claim, you can contact an experienced California lemon lawyer to evaluate your case, identify any potential problem areas, and guide you toward a new solution.

The next steps may look like pursuing arbitration or mediation or going to trial. Manufacturers often reject claims to deter consumers from pursuing the case further, even if the claims were valid. By working with a lemon law attorney, you can navigate these roadblocks and work toward the compensation you’re owed.

Here are some things you can do to be proactive and protect yourself from a lemon law case from happening in the first place:

• Consult a California lemon law attorney
• Keep records of everything
• Know your rights
• Perform regular vehicle maintenance
• Research the vehicle you intend to purchase
• Understand your warranty coverage

Why Work With a California Lemon Law Attorney?

In 2024, there were 1,759,141 new vehicle registrations in California, which was a 0.3 percent decrease from sales in 2023. In conjunction with these new registrations, the state has experienced an increasing rate of lemon law cases. Approximately 15,000 cases were reported in 2022, followed by more than 22,000 in 2023, and those numbers have continued to climb through 2024 and into 2025.

With the rise of lemon cases in California, new laws in place, and more legislation up in the air, it’s more important than ever to have legal representation that understands how to navigate the nuances and protect your rights in the complex world of lemon law. A California lemon law attorney can offer sound legal counsel and represent your case to secure a positive outcome for you.

FAQs

Q: How Many Repair Attempts Are Allowed Before I Can File a Lemon Law Case in California?

A: Under California law, a manufacturer or dealer can make a reasonable number of attempts to fix an issue before you can pursue a lemon law case. You can be eligible to file a claim after four or more attempts to fix the same issue, after two attempts to fix an issue that could result in serious injuries or death, or after your vehicle has been out of service for 30 days or more.

Q: What Is California’s New Lemon Law?

A: Starting in 2025, California’s lemon law underwent changes that can potentially confuse consumers and ultimately make it harder for them to take legal action on a lemon case. Under Assembly Bill 1755, there is a shorter statute of limitations and fewer rebates available for defective cars. The law was passed in an attempt to deal with the overwhelming number of lemon cases filed in California over the last few years.

Q: How Much Do California Lemon Law Attorneys Cost?

A: Due to a provision in California’s lemon law, attorneys can recover their costs and any applicable fees directly from the manufacturer involved in the case. That means California lemon law attorneys don’t have to charge you anything. That said, many firms still do charge an hourly rate or flat fee, which you may be able to recover through your settlement.

Q: What Damages Can Be Recovered If I Win a California Lemon Case?

A: If you are successful in your lemon law case, you can seek a variety of different damages depending on the situation. For starters, you can receive a full refund of the vehicle’s purchase price or a replacement for the vehicle. Additionally, you can seek compensation for any incidental or collateral damages, as well as attorney fees and costs if necessary.

Reach Out to a California Lemon Law Attorney to Start Building Your Case Today

Dealing with a lemon in California can be challenging and time-consuming on its own. Without proper legal representation, the chances of your claim being denied are much higher.

When you choose Lemon Law Pro as your attorney, you can secure professional representation statewide without paying a dime. If you’re interested in free services that get you the compensation you’re owed, reach out to our office to set up a complimentary appointment today. Our legal team is ready to help.